Sections of parkway closed for roadside cutting

Work taking place between milepost 121.4 and milepost 136

Published: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 4:14 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 4:14 p.m.

Blue Ridge Parkway maintenance personnel are conducting roadside cutting operations that will close sections of the parkway to traffic. The work began Tuesday and will continue for two or three weeks between milepost 121.4 and milepost 136, between U.S. Routes 220 and 221 across Bent Mountain to Adney Gap.

During this period, both lanes in this section of the parkway will be closed to all activity, including cars, bicycles, and hikers to ensure the safety of the maintenance workers as well as parkway visitors. The planned work will not affect travel between U.S. Routes 220 and 460.

Every year, parkway maintenance and resource management staff schedule work that helps control invasive vegetation growth along the parkway’s motor road. This work insures safe sight distances and a clear right-of-way. Accomplishing this work requires the use of a large tractor that must remain in the travel lanes during operation to properly perform its work.

Affected sections will close at approximately 7:45 a.m. each weekday and reopen daily about 5 p.m. Those who normally commute on the parkway may want to consider alternate routes. Proposed closures are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday; Monday through Nov. 21, and Nov. 26 and 27.

<p>Blue Ridge Parkway maintenance personnel are conducting roadside cutting operations that will close sections of the parkway to traffic. The work began Tuesday and will continue for two or three weeks between milepost 121.4 and milepost 136, between U.S. Routes 220 and 221 across Bent Mountain to Adney Gap.</p><p>During this period, both lanes in this section of the parkway will be closed to all activity, including cars, bicycles, and hikers to ensure the safety of the maintenance workers as well as parkway visitors. The planned work will not affect travel between U.S. Routes 220 and 460.</p><p>Every year, parkway maintenance and resource management staff schedule work that helps control invasive vegetation growth along the parkway's motor road. This work insures safe sight distances and a clear right-of-way. Accomplishing this work requires the use of a large tractor that must remain in the travel lanes during operation to properly perform its work. </p><p>Affected sections will close at approximately 7:45 a.m. each weekday and reopen daily about 5 p.m. Those who normally commute on the parkway may want to consider alternate routes. Proposed closures are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday; Monday through Nov. 21, and Nov. 26 and 27.</p>